Maha govt orders electrical system audit in old buildings

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has been directed to conduct an electrical system audit in old buildings in Mumbai, the Maharashtra Assembly was informed today.
Replying to debate on a calling attention notice, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said BMC is doing a fire audit of 6512 establishments which have been classified into six categories.
The state government will soon frame standard operating procedures and responsibilities for around 4000 private licensed fire audit agencies, Fadnavis said.
Responsibility will be fixed on agencies installing and monitoring electrical systems in the buildings, he said.
The government will also consider increasing penalty for defaulters, the CM said.

Minister of State for Urban Development Ranjit Patil said the government will ensure audit of electrical systems in old buildings to avoid any chance of fire breaking out due to this cause.

BJP MLA Ashish Shelar, who raised the issue in the Lower House, said cases for homicide be filed against those responsible for the June 30 fire in a medical store in suburban Andheri.
Fadnavis said such a move could be considered in case of similar cases in future.
Nine persons, including five children were killed and a fireman was injured when a fire had erupted in a medical store in a chawl in suburban Andheri on June 30.